Left atrial volume index in patients with Rosacea: a retrospective case-control study

Objectiv Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that may have systemic and cardiovascular effects. The left atrial volume index (LAVI) reflects left atrial remodeling and diastolic function. This study evaluated LAVI and diastolic echocardiographic parameters in patients with rosacea.Materials and methods This cross-sectional case–control study included patients with rosacea and age- and sex-matched healthy controls. All participants underwent transthoracic echocardiography. Left atrial diameter, left ventricular dimensions, ejection fraction (EF), transmitral Doppler parameters (E, A), tissue Doppler–derived early diastolic velocity (E′), E/E′ ratio, and LAVI were recorded. Data distribution was assessed using the Shapiro–Wilk test. Intergroup comparisons were performed using appropriate statistical tests, and correlations between LAVI and echocardiographic parameters were assessed using Spearman correlation analysis.Results A total of 150 participants were included, comprising 75 patients with rosacea (56 females and 19 males; mean age, 33.2 ± 10.7 years) and 75 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (53 females and 22 males; mean age, 33.5 ± 11.4 years). Compared with controls, patients with rosacea had significantly higher LAVI values (p < 0.001). In addition, significant differences were observed in E′ velocity, E/E′ ratio, and left atrial diameter (all p < 0.001), whereas ejection fraction was similar between the groups (p = 0.062). Correlation analysis demonstrated a moderate positive correlation between LAVI and E/E′ (ρ = 0.489, p < 0.001), a weak negative correlation between LAVI and age (ρ = −0.219, p = 0.007), and a weak positive correlation between LAVI and EF (ρ = 0.175, p = 0.032).Conclusion Patients with rosacea had higher LAVI values and altered diastolic echocardiographic parameters than healthy controls, suggesting subclinical alterations in cardiac filling dynamics. However, causality cannot be established from these observational findings. Larger prospective studies are needed for confirmation.